[bearjaws]

The Air is going to run laps around the X1, in literally every benchmark you can come up with besides "its not open source". I have that same processor in a much bulkier thinkpad and it thermal throttles instantly doing basic office multi-tasking, with the fan running constantly.

Also its made out of metal.

[bryanlarsen]

The X1 Carbon is getting updated to Panther Lake, and Panther Lake is getting competitive with the M5.

> in literally every benchmark you can come up

Nope, Panther Lake will win most gaming benchmarks. The M5 will win most others but not by "running laps around" levels.

[mjamesaustin]

At what power envelope? Intel chips can compete with M series chips, but usually at way higher power, which means fans running like a jet engine.

[bryanlarsen]

Similar power envelope. It depends on the laptop of course, but many Panther Lake laptops score comparably on battery life tests in reviews.

[bearjaws]

> score comparably on battery life tests

Until Windows leaves it in S0 state while its in your backpack :)

My Lenovo does this every week, such a joy.

[bryanlarsen]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_and_Bill%27s_law

[nosioptar]

Thinkpads have track points, macs don't.

That benchmark is really important to me due to RSI. Track points save me a buttload of hand pain.

[zem]

interesting, I had to stop using my trackpoint because it was giving me rsi in my index finger. the track pad hasn't given me any issues.

[BoneShard]

Same here, had to stop using the trackpoint (after maybe 10-15 years of heavy usage). And macbook trackpads are awesome.

[ohhnoodont]

Same. I used to be ride-or-die for my Thinkpad Trackpoint™ keyboards, I even had an external USB one. Eventually I started to feel the RSI in the top of my hand. Haven't had any issues with a Macbook trackpad.

[MetaWhirledPeas]

It's all about not doing the same thing, whatever that same thing may be. I switch between trackball and mouse as each one gets a bit uncomfortable.

[zem]

I'm also convinced that trackpoints themselves are stiffer and less comfortable to use than they used to be in the older thinkpads

[BunsanSpace]

Ever since the T450 the trackpoint has been awful.

Can't replace the nob anymore either, as the convex knob was arguably the best

[doubled112]

What do you mean when you say you can't replace the knob?

It comes off on my T14s Gen 1 and the T14s Gen 5 that replaced it.

[acchow]

I had the opposite issue. Trackpoints stated hurting my hand because it requires significantly more force than the Mac's touchpad.

[mg]

What basic office tasks are that?

The last time I was excited about the performance of local computers was in the 90s I think.

Modern laptops are so insanely fast. Not sure if they are 2x, 10x or 100x faster than I need them to be. But I never hear fans. I never have to wait for the machine these days.

[esprehn]

Have you used a MacBook as a daily driver since the M chips came out?

[__patchbit__]

No. I'm looking to get one with 64GB memory for local AI models. The worry is the keyboard experience on the MBA isn't as good as the MacBook Pro.

[tracker1]

The keyboard and touchpad experience are nearly identical between the two... not nearly as good as old IBM Thinkpads used to be, but that's a trade with IMO the much better touchpad experience on Mac.

That said, I just don't think I can keep buying Apple hardware, just not a fan of the company... I only begrudgingly use Android as there isn't a reasonable, more open option.

I'll probably stick with my M1 air for personal use a couple more years then pass it on. My daughter is still using my now 13yo rMBP with 16gb/512gb. I wish the ram and storage upgrades on mac weren't so overpriced.

[Forgeties79]

At current rates they aren’t overpriced at all. Frankly I’m surprised we didn’t see a big increase in cost with this generation.

[tracker1]

Apple has their supply lines locked in a few years ahead of time... they likely won't see downward pressure for a couple years still. Not that they might not still take advantage... though downward sales pressure is a trade off too.

[Reason077]

I’ve used both extensively and there’s very little difference in the keyboards between an Air and a Pro.

The difference in displays (Pro much brighter) and size/weight (Air much lighter) are much more significant considerations, IMO.